Fig. 4.1 shows a section of a post-and-rail fence used on a horse farm. (a) State the name of the type of fence shown in Fig. 4.1. [1] (b) Describe two adva...
Question 1 Report
Fig. 4.1 shows a section of a post-and-rail fence used on a horse farm.
(a) State the name of the type of fence shown in Fig. 4.1. [1]
(b) Describe two advantages of this type of fence for keeping horses. [2]
(c) The farmer also uses a different fence around the vegetable garden to keep out small animals such as rabbits.
(i) Suggest a suitable fencing type for this purpose. [1]
(ii) Explain why the fence you suggested in (c)(i) is more suitable than the post-and-rail fence for keeping out rabbits. [2]
(d) State one disadvantage of post-and-rail fencing compared with barbed wire. [1]
[Total: 7]
Answer Details
Labelled answer diagram:
(a) Type of fence shown [1]:
Post-and-rail fence (also called a board fence or plank fence). [1]
(b) Two advantages for keeping horses [2]:
- No sharp edges that could cut or injure horses. Barbed wire can cause severe lacerations when a horse panics and runs into it, but smooth wooden rails do not. [1]
- The rails are highly visible, so horses can see the boundary clearly and are unlikely to run into the fence at speed. Wire fences are harder to see, especially in low light. [1]
Also acceptable: strong enough to withstand horses leaning on it; gives the farm a tidy, professional appearance.
(c)(i) Suitable fencing type for keeping out rabbits [1]:
Wire mesh (chicken wire / weld mesh) fencing. [1]
(c)(ii) Why wire mesh is more suitable than post-and-rail for excluding rabbits [2]:
- Wire mesh has small openings (typically 25-50 mm) that rabbits cannot squeeze through. [1]
- Post-and-rail fencing has large gaps between the horizontal rails, often 20-30 cm or more. Rabbits can pass through these gaps with ease. [1]
(d) One disadvantage of post-and-rail fencing compared with barbed wire [1]:
Post-and-rail fencing is much more expensive per metre because it requires substantially more timber and more labour to construct than a simple barbed-wire fence. [1]
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